Manner of constructing brick-presses



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THOMAS W. SMITH, OF ALEXANDRIA, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

MANNER OF CONSTRUCTIN G BRICK-PRESSES.

Specicaton of Letters Patent No. 1,959, dated January 30, 1841.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, THos. IV. SMITH, of the city of Alexandria, in the District of Columbia, machinist, have invented a new and useful Machine for the Purpose of Pressing Blick; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

IThe accompanying drawing is a representation of my machine in perspective.

A, A, is its frame, which T usually make of cast-iron; and place it upon truck wheelsv B, B, for the purpose of conveniently removing it from place to place in the brick yard.

C, is a sliding top, or table, which sustains the combined pressing levers, and a standing cheek and follower for pressing the faces of the brick.

D, D, is a cast-iron, rectangular frame firmly fixed to the side pieces A', A, of the main frame, and constituting three sides of the mold within which the brick is to be pressed; I, usually, line the inside of this part with steel plates, which may be readily renewed should this be found necessary; although the cast-iron itself may be dressed off so as to answer the purpose without such lining.

E, is the standing cheek, rising at right angles from the table, its length and heightbeing exactly the same with the length and width o-f the face of a brick.

F, is the follower which is of the same length and height with the standing cheek E. This follower has a sliding motion on the table O, as it is to be forced forward by the pressing levers. The standard E, and the followers F, pass into, and fit closely within the frame D, D.

The machine, as represented in the draw* ing, is in the proper position for receiving a brick to be pressed, which is to be laid on its edge upon the sliding table, between the standard E, and the follower F. The table is then to be carried forwardso as to cause the brick to enter the frame D, D, and this is effected by means of a rack and pinien which are operated by the lever G, which turns a shaft J carrying a pinion that gears into a rack on the underside of the table C, as shown in section in Figure 2. Then the brick has been carried within the frame D, D, by means of the lever G, the follower is then forced forward by depressing the lever H, which actuates the system of progressive levers, usually denominated the toggle joint, the arrangement and operatic-n of which will be readily understood by an examination of the drawing, as this is a device well known to machinists. The fixed bearing I, of the progressive levers may be made adjustable, so as to cause the follower to operate with perfect precision. By this arrangement of the respective parts, the pressing apparatus acts independently of that by which the brick is carried forward into the mold; and the latter is most conveniently situated for the placing and the removal of the bricks, while it may be wiped between every pressing, with perfect facility.

Having thus, fully described the nature, construction, and operation of my machine for pressing brick, what I claim therein as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The forming of the pressing mold by means of the frame D, D, the sliding table C, and the standard and follower thereon, constructed and operating as herein setforth. Y Trios. w. sMTH.

Witnesses:

B. C. SMITH, I-I. BARNES. 

